Old-Fashioned Meatloaf with Chive and Onion Mashed Potatoes

Old Fashioned Meatloaf with Chive and Onion Mashed Potatoes

It was certainly unintentional, but look up at that photo of my delicious meatloaf. Do you see Mr. Lettuce Head? He has red lettuce hair and a surprised scallion smile on his face, and if you really use your imagination he is using a Bluetooth or maybe that is a baseball glove. Your call. The scallions fall where they may. As you can see this retro meatloaf recipe takes me back to the comfort foods of my childhood where I could lay on the moss covered hills surrounding my home, sun washed face towards the sky and watch the cloud bunnies and elephants drift by...and dream. Close your eyes and it is easy to take yourself back.

But reality sets in, sorry about that, and sometimes you just have to EAT, and it is not about getting that perfect shot or arranging your food artfully on the plate. This could have been a different shot if I were not in a hurry to dig in to this hearty retro meatloaf with buttery mashed potatoes, a food memory from my care free childhood. This is a blog about food after all!! The recipes come first and the photos...well...they are usually thrown together just like this meatloaf!! I think our 24th Game Changer Paula Deen would approve.

According to the Food Network Paula Deen has written the book on "it's not where you start, but where you finish." "Start with one part Southern charm, add a dash of "hey y'all" and pour in a bountiful dose of cooking expertise, and you have the recipe for Paula Deen, host of three popular Food Network shows, including Paula's Home Cooking."

Here it is Friday again and our group has now reached #24 on the list of Gourmet Live's 50 Women Game Changers. Since June we have been experimenting with dishes from each of the 50 influential women on "the list" so far. We are fast approaching the midway point and whether you agree or disagree with the authors chosen fifty and their order, it cannot be denied that it has been an enjoyable and creative outlet to cook from the masters and those we admire. We have checked out books from the library, borrowed cookbooks from friends, surfed the Internet and browsed our own cookbook collections seeking that one recipe that will highlight that weeks outstanding woman.

Many can relate to this down-home, strong willed mom who has carved out her brand in the food world. She had no idea at the time that the love for Southern cooking her grandmother instilled in her would lead to a life-long career. Her determination has earned her a spot on "the list". Newly divorced, Paula packed up her two sons and moved to Savannah. There she started her own catering business called The Bag Lady, where she prepared fresh lunches to sell to downtown businesses and doctors' offices. If only I had have thought of this enterprise myself before I started working 6 days a week in those doctors offices and followed in her self-made success story boots.

Back in the 1990's Paula opened her own restaurant called The Lady and Sons, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to a growing clientele. Paula's business continues to flourish with a series of successful cookbooks,  Paula Deen and Friends, Living It Up, Southern Style, The Lady and Sons Savannah Country Cookbook, The Lady and Sons Too and The Lady and Sons Just Desserts. Have I missed any!We know "The Queen of Comfort Food" best for her southern touch and unapologetic love for butter on her Food Network shows. What a warm and beautiful smile she has.

One of my favourite well-travelled bloggers Mary of One Perfect Bite invited bloggers to travel along on a culinary journey. Gourmet Live brought out a list of the 50 most influential women in food...Fifty women game changers. Some are chefs, some are food writers, and some are women who are passionate about the creative process. You could certainly add or detract women from this list, but no matter what these women have all influenced us in one way or another.  My cohorts for this adventure can be found below. If you would like to join in  please contact Mary. This is an informal event where we post every Friday, but you have the flexibility to follow along when you can.

What have we been up to with # 24 on the list of 50 Women Game Changers...

Mary of One Perfect Bite - Paula Deen's Peanut Butter Gooey Butter Cake
Val of More Than Burnt Toast - Old-Fashioned Meatloaf with Chive and Onion Mashed Potatoes
Joanne of Eats Well With Others 
Susan of The Spice Garden 
Taryn of Have Kitchen, Will Feed  - Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies
Heather of Girlichef  - Pumpkin Cake with Buttery Cream Cheese Frosting
Miranda of Mangoes and Chutney - Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake
Jeanette at Jeanette's Healthy Living  - Butternut Squash Casserole
Katie - Making Michael Pollan Proud
Kathleen Van Bruinisse at Bake Away with Me - Wayne's Cranberry Sauce
Sue of View from The Great Island - Pumpkin Cheesecake
Linda of There and Back Again - Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
Barbara of Moveable Feasts - Fried Green Tomatoes
Mireya - My Healthy Eating Habits - Lemon Pepper Rosemary Roasted Chicken
Veronica of My Catholic Kitchen - The Ladies Chicken Noodle Soup
Annie  at Most Lovely Things

Now on to the granddaddy of all comfort foods... meatloaf!! This is one of those classic retro recipes that is so easy to throw together. It takes a little time in the oven but you can easily prepare it before you head to work and throw it in the oven while you unwind at the end of the day. With the herbed mashed potatoes this recipe really does take me back to my childhood!! Can I have a hey y'all.

**Old-Fashioned Meatloaf with Chive and Onion Mashed Potatoes**

1 pound ground beef
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1 egg, lightly beaten
8 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juice (I used a can of Fire Roasted Tomatoes)
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

Topping:

1/3 cup ketchup (or tomato sauce)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
Chive and Onion Mashed Potatoes, recipe below

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Mix all meatloaf ingredients well and place in a baking dish. Shape into a loaf.

Topping: Mix ingredients for topping and spread on loaf. Bake for 1 hour.

**Chive and Onion Mashed Potatoes**

1 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup chive and onion cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened

Boil the potatoes until done. Pour the potatoes into a medium bowl and add cream cheese and butter. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes to desired consistency. Serve immediately

Servings: 4 to 6

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